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Mining · head to head

PLAXIS vs UDEC

PLAXIS logo

PLAXIS

Mining

Finite element software for geotechnical analysis

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
U

UDEC

Mining

Universal distinct element code for mining analysis

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: PLAXIS bentley states the cost of PLAXIS 2D, 2D Advanced, 2D Ultimate and the 2D WorkSuite varies per region, and publishes no rate on the product page; UDEC the UDEC product page publishes no price and directs buyers to a quote request or an external software store
  • They diverge on capability: PLAXIS covers 2D & 3D finite element analysis, UDEC covers Distinct element modeling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PLAXIS and UDEC actually diverge.

Attributes where PLAXIS and UDEC differ
AttributePLAXISUDEC
Founded19841981

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (Windows, Linux), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Mining).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in PLAXIS

  • 2D & 3D finite element analysis
  • Advanced soil modeling
  • Slope stability assessment
  • Excavation design
  • Support design
  • GeoStudio
  • ArcGIS

Only in UDEC

  • Distinct element modeling
  • Joint network modeling
  • Block interaction analysis
  • Support interaction
  • Dynamic analysis
  • FLAC3D
  • 3DEC

Both cover

  • AutoCAD
  • Leapfrog
  • Windows support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

PLAXIS

  • Finite element analysis of soil and rock deformation and stabilitynot UDEC
  • Designing excavations, tunnels, embankments and foundationsnot UDEC
  • Modelling groundwater flow, consolidation and seismic response in geotechnical worksnot UDEC

UDEC

  • Geotechnical engineering simulationsnot PLAXIS
  • Discrete element modeling and analysisnot PLAXIS
  • Mining and tunneling software analysisnot PLAXIS

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

PLAXIS

  • Bentley states the cost of PLAXIS 2D, 2D Advanced, 2D Ultimate and the 2D WorkSuite varies per region, and publishes no rate on the product page
  • Consolidation, creep, groundwater flow and heat flow require the Advanced edition rather than the base PLAXIS 2D
  • Dynamic, vibration and transient analysis require the Ultimate edition
  • A perpetual licence only carries support and licence exchange rights while a paid annual SELECT subscription is maintained
  • The Virtuoso subscription route is a 12 month lease, not an ongoing entitlement

UDEC

  • The UDEC product page publishes no price and directs buyers to a quote request or an external software store
  • Fluid Flow, Barton-Bandis joint analysis, Creep, Thermal and User Defined Models are optional add ons charged on top of the base licence
  • Writing custom constitutive models requires the separately licensed UDM option and C++ programming
  • Purchases through the Buy Now route are prepaid annual subscriptions rather than a permanent licence

Pricing, plan by plan

PLAXIS

On request
  • Virtuoso Subscription$undefined/12-month
    • Software access
    • Training included
    • Auto-renewal
  • Perpetual License with SELECT$undefined/mo
    • One-time purchase
    • Annual maintenance subscription
    • 24/7 technical support
  • Enterprise Plans$undefined/mo
    • Custom arrangements
    • Global pricing
    • Comprehensive software portfolio

UDEC

On request
  • UDEC Professional$19000/year
    • Distinct element analysis
    • Joint modeling
    • Block interaction

Which should you pick?

Choose PLAXIS if

  • You need 2d & 3d finite element analysis.
  • You work on Windows, Linux.
  • You also want advanced soil modeling.
PLAXIS review

Choose UDEC if

  • You need distinct element modeling.
  • You work on Windows, Linux.
  • You also want joint network modeling.
UDEC review

Questions people ask

Is PLAXIS or UDEC better?
Neither clearly leads. PLAXIS starts at On request and UDEC at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PLAXIS or UDEC?
PLAXIS starts at On request and UDEC at On request.
Does PLAXIS or UDEC run on more platforms?
Both run on Windows, Linux, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is PLAXIS best used for?
PLAXIS is most often used for finite element analysis of soil and rock deformation and stability, designing excavations, tunnels, embankments and foundations, modelling groundwater flow, consolidation and seismic response in geotechnical works. Of those, finite element analysis of soil and rock deformation and stability and designing excavations, tunnels, embankments and foundations are not what UDEC is typically brought in for.
What can PLAXIS do that UDEC cannot?
PLAXIS covers 2D & 3D finite element analysis, Advanced soil modeling, Slope stability assessment, Excavation design. UDEC covers Distinct element modeling, Joint network modeling, Block interaction analysis, Support interaction. Both handle AutoCAD, Leapfrog, Windows support, Linux support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

PLAXIS: What are PLAXIS software tiers?

PLAXIS offers four main tiers: PLAXIS 3D (basic deformation and safety analysis), PLAXIS 3D Advanced (creep/flow-deformation coupling and consolidation), PLAXIS 3D Ultimate (dynamic vibration analysis and time-dependent groundwater flow), and 3D WorkSuite (combines PLAXIS 3D Ultimate with GeoStudio 3D Advanced).

Source
UDEC: How much does UDEC cost?

UDEC pricing is not published on the product page. The vendor directs inquiries through an 'Ask an Expert' contact option at [email protected] or a 'Request a Quote' option through the itascasoftware.com store.

Source
PLAXIS: What licensing models does PLAXIS offer?

PLAXIS offers three licensing approaches: 12-month Virtuoso Subscription (recommended for small to medium businesses), Perpetual License with SELECT (one-time purchase plus annual maintenance), and Enterprise Plans (custom arrangements for larger organizations). Regional pricing varies.

Source
UDEC: What is UDEC's pricing model?

UDEC is available through a subscription model rather than one-time licensing. Prepaid annual subscriptions are available through the software store, and pricing is customized based on quote requests.

Source
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